News  > Boys' Varsity - Seven Section V Champions Crowned

03/03/03 Seven Champions Crowned

by Joe Versage

RNews

At 22-0, McQuaid entered the Class A final against Marshall, as the nation’s number two team. At day’s end, they celebrated a Section V Championship, along with six other teams.

The Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial was a basketball host Saturday, March 1st, with a packed house on hand to cheer on the area's top 14 teams.

The early games pitted Lyons and South Seneca in Class C, Marion and Campbell-Savona in Class CC, Leroy and Wellsville in Class CCC, Midlakes and School of the Arts in Class B and Batavia and Pittsford Mendon in Class BB.

South Seneca's Girls basketball team was on hand after winning its 5th consecutive Class C title Thursday against Lyons. The boys tried to complete the sweep.

Ryan Clemenson had a game-high 10 points for the Falcons. But stars Clarence Jackson and Mike Hilsinger led a spirited Lyons squad that pulled out a win in a closely contested game, 35-31.

After 32 seasons of coaching, Marion head coach Jim Christie hoped to go out in style with a Class CC title, as he led his Black Knights against Campbell-Savona.

The Panthers Josh Spradlin made some fine passes to help Isiah Smalt to a game-high 21 points. Campbell-Savona owned an 8-point lead at the break.

Marion rallied in the second half. Matt Elvin played the role of thief throughout the game, with 10 steals to go with 12 points. Jared Shoot added 13 and coach Christie got his wish. The Black Knights are Class CC champs after a 55-48 win.

In Class CCC, LeRoy played for its first-ever basketball championship against Wellsville.

Persistance paid off, as the Oatkan Knights hit the boards. Brendan Fulmer led LeRoy by becoming the school's all-time leading scorer on a thunderous dunk.

The Knights went on to a 48-44 win, as Fulmer finished a memorable high school career with a game-high 23 points and 17 rebounds.

Screaming Eagles fans cheered on Midlakes against School of the Arts in the Class B title game.

Brett Lowry’s strong play helped lead Midlakes to an 11-point lead at intermission.

But the Silver Hawks used the "cousin combination" to roar back. Solomon and Archie Donaldson took the game over in the second half to lead 4th-seeded SOTA to a 54-42 upset of the 3rd seed.

Solomon totaled 15 points and was named tournament MVP. The Class B title was the first-ever championship in any sport for School of the Arts.

Pittsford Mendon sought its first boys basketball title since 1983, as the Vikings faced Batavia.

Greg Friday had a fine shooting day for the Blue Devils with 16 points. But Mendon's Tim Frewster beat the halftime buzzer with a three-pointer to give the Vikings a 2-point lead at halftime.

Mendon carried that momentum into the second half. Chris Shalvoy contributed as always. He scored 13 points on his way to MVP honors and the 4th-seeded Vikes defeated 2nd-seeded Batavia 67-51 for the Class BB title.

The War Memorial crowd swelled to over 14,000 fans for the highly anticipated match-up between McQuaid and Marshall. It was the 4th meeting between the teams this season.

The Class A final had its share of running and gunning. On one McQuaid transition, Marty O'Sullivan fed Ryan Pettinella for an alley-oop dunk.

The Jurists hung tough by refusing to give in. Right before intermission, Willie Givens knocked down a long range 3-pointer to cut the Knights lead to just 5 at 39-34.

At the close of the third quarter, Marshall made a statement, as Eddie Smith beat the buzzer with his shot. He got and friendly bounce and the rolled in for a three-pointer and a 62-59 lead.

But the Knights didn’t flinch. O’Sullivan took advantage of an inbounds pass from Justin MaGee for a lay-in and a 3-point play. He finished with a game-high 30 points.

The incomparable Tyler Relph added 26 and McQuaid defended its crown with an 85-73 victory. The Section V title was the Knights 8th all-time.

The final game of the evening featured Fairport against East High for the Class AA Championship. Second year Red Raiders coach Scott Fitch had his second chance at the crown, but Fairport had trouble defending East stars William Jackson and Rodney Westbrook.

Fairport countered with heads-up play by Corey McGee and Ryan McAdam. McAdam finished the game with 20 points.

But East used a potent transition game late in the contest. Keion Mitchum had a shot blocked, but Nate Brumfield was in the right place at the right time for a key put back.

In overtime, the Orientals Kenny Wilson made 2 free throws for a 60-58 lead.

The Raiders had one last chance, but McAdam's shot missed the mark. A classic contest ended with a win by Class AA's 5th seed over its 2nd seed. 60-58 was the final score, as East captured the championship.